How Important is Forgiveness and Compassion?

By Shelley Svedahl

In 1972, ten-year old Richard Moore, was on his way home from Rosemont Primary School in Derry/Londonderry when he was shot in the eye with a plastic bullet. He has been blind since that time.

In an instant Richard's world turned to darkness.

Richard’s story is about forgiveness and compassion. 

      

                      Richard in his office on St. Joseph's Avenue in Derry/Londonderry.

“I am a victim of the troubles and there is nothing I can do about that but I refuse to be a victim of anger and I do have control over that.”  

                                Richard sees with his heart and focuses on his abilities.

He questions why anyone would want to be angry and live anger.

He believes that forgiveness is a gift for yourself: it’s not for the other person. Forgiveness doesn’t change the past, but it can change the future. Forgiveness is not about the perpetrator; instead it is first and foremost about your ability to let go. When you can do that anything is possible.

Six years ago Richard met the soldier (Charles) who shot him. He rehearsed what he would say at that meeting because he wanted Charles to know he has no animosity towards him and that he forgives him.

                                Dialogue is a bridge and an opportunity to come together.
                                The statue 'Hands Across the Divide' in Derry/Londonderry.

For Richard, forgiveness was easy, but he knows it isn’t easy for everyone. Clearly victims never want to be victims but it doesn’t mean they don’t have the capacity to forgive.

Richard is not saying that by forgiving others you say that what they did was okay. Forgiveness isn’t about justice.

Richard hopes his story is an example of how forgiveness can have an impact on the future. He explained that emotions and feelings are like cells within the mind and each of us holds the key. 

“If my ability to forgive is held by the soldier then he has the key. Sorry is a type of key. If I am unwilling to forgive Charles unless he says sorry, then I have given Charles the key. In my mind, I shouldn’t give Charles the key.”

According to Richard, the peace process isn’t only about what’s happening in Northern Ireland – it’s also about what’s happening internally. He believes we can implement structures of the peace process such as government policies, environmental conditions, dialogue, but those structures mean nothing if you’re not at peace with yourself.

It’s simple. The bottom line is there’s never going to be peace where there is conflict. People need to talk. People need to listen. People need to share. And in the end it’s okay to agree to disagree.

It’s a personal journey and dialogue is the key. Richard wanted to tell his story about forgiveness and compassion to show that forgiveness is possible. He will continue to share his story. In 2009 he wrote Can I Give Him My Eyes?

I only learned of his friendship with the Dalai Lama when I read the back cover of his book. In conversation with other members of the community I heard many stories about Richard's special relationship with the Dalai Lama. The stories were clear evidence of Richard's humanity and further proof that he is a living example of truth, forgiveness and compassion.  

In 1996 Richard Moore founded the charity Children in Crossfire because he wanted to give something back. 

Documentary on Children in Crossfire.

The office of Children in Crossfire at 2 St. Joseph's Avenue Derry/Londonderry